Sunderland couple "reframe" regional wellness scene.
When Lauren and Matt Harding opened the doors to ReFrame Health and Wellness Club, they weren’t simply launching a new business venture. They were responding to a lifechanging wake-up call.
The Sunderland couple are the founders of the specialist reformer Pilates studio based at the North East BIC, but the inspiration behind the business came from a period of profound personal adversity.
Last year, Matt, who ran a successful high-end joinery company, was diagnosed with Lynch syndrome before suffering a stress-related stroke. The experience forced the pair to reassess the relentless pace of their working lives and ask themselves what mattered most.
The answer was ReFrame.
Officially opening its doors in May, the wellness club represents a complete shift in direction – one centred on health, balance and longevity, both for themselves and the community they serve.
“Navigating a serious health crisis was a wake-up call for us both as individuals and as entrepreneurs,” says Lauren. “It was the moment we realised our lifestyle had to change.
“We decided to combine our professional expertise in design and construction to create something with a real sense of purpose – a business built on resilience and the importance of taking a holistic approach to health and longevity.”
Rather than following a traditional route into the wellness industry, the couple drew upon the skills they had already developed through their respective careers. Matt’s technical joinery expertise and Lauren’s experience as director of LC Interiors allowed them to design and commission their own bespoke reformer Pilates machines, bypassing standard suppliers in favour of a more tailored approach.
The studio’s eight reformers feature imported German-engineered springs, creating a premium experience designed to rival leading international brands.
Attention to detail extends beyond the equipment. Inspired by Lauren’s work in high-end residential interior design, the studio combines classic panelling with a calming colour palette to create a space intended to promote mental clarity as well as physical wellbeing.
ReFrame’s timetable reflects its inclusive philosophy, offering sessions ranging from Beginner Foundations to Strength and HIIT classes, alongside yoga-inspired stretch sessions. Specialist equipment, including Wunda Chairs and Jump Boards, further broadens the experience available to clients.
For Lauren, creating an environment that feels welcoming was just as important as delivering high-quality instruction.
“In this industry it’s easy to feel intimidated,” she says. “Our philosophy is about staying in your own lane.
“Our studio features individual mirrors for every bed so clients can focus entirely on their own process rather than feeling competitive.”
Steph Drinkald, Assistant Centre Manager at the North East BIC, believes the Hardings’ journey demonstrates the resilience and adaptability often found among the region’s entrepreneurs.
“By blending their existing professional skills with a new passion for wellness, they have created a unique service that adds real value to the diversity of businesses based here at the BIC,” she says.
At its core, ReFrame is about much more than exercise. Born from one family’s experience of ill health and burnout, it offers a reminder that success sometimes means changing course entirely – and that reframing priorities can open the door to something even more meaningful.
For more information about ReFrame Health and Wellness Club, visit reframewellnessclub.co.uk